Did you know that it’s sometimes possible to recognize when
you’ve recently contracted HIV from signs and symptoms such as fever, rash, or
swollen lymph nodes? This video will teach you how to recognize signs and
symptoms of primary HIV infection that are experienced by between 40 and 90% of
individuals after they are first infected with HIV. Seeking medical attention
if you are experiencing primary HIV infection could save your life and the
lives of any sexual partners, so please listen carefully and watch the whole
video.

Primary HIV infection occurs during the first few weeks or
months after a person first becomes infected with HIV.[i]
Symptoms include rash and/or fevers, possibly in combination with one or more
of the following symptoms: malaise (which is a general feeling of weakness,
discomfort, and fatigue), loss of appetite, weight loss, a sore throat, sores
in the mouth, joint or muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes, diarrhea, fatigue,
night sweats, nausea and vomiting, headache, or genital sores.[ii][iii] The symptoms usually
last from seven to ten days, and rarely more than two weeks.[iv] There
is an incubation period of a few days to a few weeks between when the person
was exposed to HIV and when the symptoms begin.[v]

If you have one or more of these symptoms, does it
necessarily mean you are infected with HIV? No. Many common diseases can cause
one or more of these symptoms. For example, most people with a fever or sore
throat are probably just experiencing common illnesses such as the cold,
influenza, or mononucleosis. So don’t panic. But if you have any of these
symptoms and think there’s even the slightest chance you might have been
exposed to HIV, such as through recent sexual activity or sharing a needle,
even with someone who you believe is HIV negative, you should see a doctor and
ask to be tested for HIV.

If you have none of these symptoms, does it prove you’re not
infected with HIV? No. Between 10 and 60% of people who contract HIV never show
the symptoms of primary HIV infection. So don’t assume you’re HIV negative just
because you’ve never experienced symptoms of primary HIV infection.

When you go to the doctor with any of these symptoms, it’s
very important to mention any risk factors you may have for HIV so they could
test you. If you have ever had unprotected sex, even once, have used injection
drugs, or think you might be experiencing primary HIV infection, make sure to
tell your doctor.

By getting tested promptly for HIV, you’re also doing your
part to help reduce its spread. People who contract HIV are most infectious
during primary HIV infection. During this time, the viral load in their blood
and semen or vaginal secretions is the highest, and they are most likely to
infect sexual or needle sharing partners. Newly infected individuals who learn
their status promptly can notify their partners and take steps to reduce their
risk of infecting others. Of course, if you are sexually active or sharing
needles, you shouldn’t wait until you think you have HIV to practice safer sex
or stop sharing needles.

So protect yourself and those around you. If you haven’t
been tested for HIV already, do so. If you’re sexually active, practice safer
sex to reduce your risk. And if you think you may have been exposed to HIV and
are having signs and symptoms similar to primary HIV infection, don’t delay;
go to the doctor right away and ask to be tested today for HIV. This is
[PRESENTER NAME].

This script was reviewed for accuracy and approved by
Becky Kuhn, M.D. on June 22, 2007.